Our 36-time Hungarian champion men's soccer team took to the field at Genk's home ground in the second round of the UEFA Europa League main stage, meaning that the two teams faced each other again after the fall of 2023. This time, Robbie Keane put his trust in the starting lineup of Dibusz - Gartenmann, Raemaekers, Cissé - Cadu, Tóth, Keita, Levi, O'Dowda - Varga, Joseph.

First half

Ferencvaros kicked off and earned a corner in the first minute. Two minutes later, however, Dibusz had to make a great save when Hrosovsky shot at goal after a good start, but our captain blocked it. The home team dominated possession in the first ten minutes and made several forays into the attacking third, with Oh missing a dangerous cross and Hrosovsky shooting wide from outside the box.

Our team had to wait until the 17th minute for their first shot on goal, when Levi pulled away on the right wing, cut inside and shot from the corner of the box, but missed the goal. After our Swedish legionnaire's flash of brilliance, Genk dominated again. In the 28th minute, Bangoura received a pass and tried to squeeze the ball into the goal, but Joseph and Dibusz combined to avert the danger.

Nine minutes later, Keita tried his luck, but his long-range shot flew over the goal. In the 42nd minute, Joseph stepped up and shot under pressure from defenders, but Van Crombrugge made a brilliant save. At the end of the first half, Levi received a good ball on the right wing, then crossed it to the center with his right foot, and Varga, who was coming in, headed it into the bottom left corner without hesitation (0-1).

Second half

After the break, our team immediately pinned the home side back in their own half, and in the 47th minute, Genk's goalkeeper misjudged a low cross and collided with Joseph, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. Varga took the penalty, but failed to convert it, leaving the score at 0-1. Three minutes later, Tóth stole his way closer to the goal, but his shot missed the target. In the 53rd minute, we were forced to make a substitution due to injury, with Nagy coming on for O'Dowda. 

Shortly afterwards, the home side came to life, with Steuckers' long-range shot hitting the right post in the 54th minute. Seven minutes later, after a free kick from the right, Van Crombrugge saved Keita's low shot, then Ito's attempt bounced off Dibusz's legs. The chances came thick and fast, with Joseph immediately following up with a spectacular long-range shot, although the Belgian goalkeeper made a confident save.

There were no further incidents, and we won 1-0 in Genk! After two rounds, we have four points in the UEL league stage.